Scrapiron

I had the FMJ- it's a good rod, but I don't have it anymore. I'd recommend the Zbone MH. Sure it's more $, but IMHO, worth it for that Xray blank. The Kistler HE3 would be my next recommendation. I've tried a GLX 844 MBR and it's a good rod too, but the Kistler's offer more (again, IMHO).

Second the HE3, but I’ll admit I haven’t fished with an Elite AGS.

I'm in agreement with a lot of folks here, after 3 years it's probably not a 'defect'; yes there are edge cases that happen. The 'customer is always right' and 'customer first' myth is a recipe for a business to fail. True, the business should be making a product that meets the expectations of the customer in regards to performance, durability, etc. As has been said, research, research some more and personal accountability should all be a part of the equation (there are others but not relevant to this discussion). From Dateme Tamuno: "Historically, the maxim ‘The customer is always right’ was coined in 1909 by Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridge’s department store in London, and is typically used by businesses to convince customers that they are priority at the expense of everything. It is normally argued that customers are the employers of a company- as they pay the bills and wages of a given company. That notwithstanding, Alexander Kjerulf, wrote that this maxim leads to bad customer service. He put forward five reasons why companies should not uphold this thinking in the contemporary business environment. The reasons are: 1) It makes employees unhappy 2) It gives abrasive customers an unfair advantage 3) Some customers are bad for business 4) It results in worse customer service 5) Some customers are just plain wrong There is simply an argument that businesses that think the customer is always right end up betraying employees. Gordon Bethune in his book: ‘from worst to first’ stated: “The fact is that some customers are just plain wrong, that businesses are better off without them, and that managers siding with unreasonable customers over employees is a very bad idea, that results in worse customer service.” In a contemporary business environment, full of competition and similarity of products and prices, companies continue to seek an effective customer strategy. When companies try to please all customers, by making them always right- it ends up negatively affecting employee morale and customer experience. The salient point is, to make customers understand their rights and use discretion to meet their needs even when they are wrong. It is more of a discretionary than a mandatory action, to go over and beyond- even when a customer is at the wrong. If you fail to remember anything, do keep this thought to heart, ‘customers are not always right but showing them their right is the meat to customer experience.’"

I primarily kayak fish and I see no reason to not bring your good stuff with you. I’d hate to think I’m out fishing with some stuff knowing my good equipment is just sitting at home. I haven’t noticed any damage or wear and tear on either rods or reels. Make sure everything is secure/tied down. Use rod/reel covers if needed during transport.

I’ve got both the SV and A. I replaced the knobs on the A- I hated the stock knobs. I like the additional weight and solidness of the A on my MH rod: that’s a smooth reel. The SV is on my M rod and is awesome. Put a ZPI spool in it and wow. I could live with either if I had too: the A is excellent and I’d be happy if that was the one I had. Just replace the knobs. ? Had the Chronarch MGL and a 13 Met- the Steez A IMHO is a much better reel.

Don’t think you could go wrong with any of those! Within each lineup there are a few standouts- depends on what you’re going to use the rod for/what model. I’ve had NRX, Destroyers, and Zbone. I’d gladly use any of them to fish and have a big ole smile on my face. Well, not the 852s- I didn’t like that rod. as Rodney says... look around the different forums, good quality used rods can be found.

It's going to be a little different as you mention- I was deciding between the same two and went with the Addermine. You could look at the new Flyassa. It's 7'6" but supposedly would be better for your intended presentations. I will say between the Orochi and Destroyer series, it's worth $100 to move to the Destroyer. I find the rods 'crisper' and a little better balanced. The components are definitely better. I'll leave sensitivity to others... too subjective for me.

I have both the same rods/models and would agree- great multi purpose sticks. I’ve thrown just about everything on them. They aren’t in the rotation since I got Megabass Destroyers however. I’ll need to compare them again. Current multi purpose rod is a Javelin.

What reel is that? A Luvias or a Steez? BTW, nice Bihn! I've got the Synapse 25- over 4-5 years it's held up amazing for doing "one bag travel" over the world.

Same here. I'm not a big an of the ECS and like the ACS. Actually I prefer the Megabass spiral seat or the Loomis (GLX) one.

Megabass Destroyer FMJ or Javelin (could use either depending on lure weight, cover, etc.) with a Steez SV TW. Actually, a Steez A TWS balances a little better on the Javelin. Under a grand! So, I'd add a ZPI PG spool to the SV, maybe a Steez SV 1016 spool to the A.

Megabass Destroyer Addermine (6'11" Med Fast) and a Daiwa Luvias 2500 H (with a 2506 Air ABS shallow spool).

Megabass OneTen Special- 6'11" Medium/Fast Daiwa Steez SV TWS in 7.1:1 Sufix 832 braid in 30# with mono leader

Megabass Destroyer Addermine 6'11" Med Fast Shimano Stradic Ci4+ FB 10# Sufix 832 and FC leader

FMJ for me as well! I'll have either a Steez A or SV103H on it; Sunline Sniper 16# on the stock spool and 40# Sufix 832 on the 1016 spool. The SV103 seems to be on there the most lately. Great combo.

I have/had both and some of it depends which specific model you're talking about. For a top water rod- yeah, the Mojo 6'8" M XF is awesome as someone already said. I don't think bumping to the Avid X on that rod gets you much more for the price.

Thanks punch. I sure am enjoying the setup. Quick write up I did: Went out last weekend kayaking open water (lake) here in NC and caught a couple of nice size bass (lost a couple too). Handled 1/2oz. topwater, 3/8oz. crankbait, Texas rigged lizard, Vision 110 jerk, and probably some other lures I wanted to use. Cast pretty much everything the proverbial country mile. Loaded up so very, very nice. I like a more moderate tip than Xfast, so YMMV. Sensitive, nimble and just a joy to use. The tip is probably a bit too soft for the 110, same with the top water, but I'll try it again. Didn't try any finesse stuff like Ned rig or drop-shot this time. The combo feels 'heavy' when I pick it up (compared a NRX 852s with a Stradic Ci4+ FB) but once in hand, balances perfect and feels like an extension of my hand/arm. Definitely put a smile on my face when casting and a big smile when a fish was on the other end! Handle is comfortable, cork is good. This is a better rod IMHO than the Avid X 6'8" Med Xfast I had. I'll have to think some more on exactly why. Kudos to Megabass.

Tim, I applaud you for taking a Dremel to a ~$400 rod! I didn't care for that split Fuji handle the old LTB used. I've handled, but not fished, the updated reel seat- it seemed comfortable in the store. But I totally understand- 5 minutes isn't a day on the water. New handle looks good too.

Megabass Orochi XX Ronin ('18) with a Shimano Exsence CI4+ 3000HGM. Fished the rod this past weekend and it was a joy to use. (& fish caught).

I've been using them for about a year (bass and inshore). Way easier/faster than other clips. I haven't had one "pull apart" yet. So far, fish don't seem to care there's a clip in front of the lure. As mentioned, be careful with the lure size and weight.

Megabass Orochi XX Ronin- 6'8" with a lure rating to 3/4. I've got one on the way, so can't comment on how it fishes.

Here's what I have queued up this year (so far): G.Loomis GLX CBR 845 7’ MH Mod Daiwa SV103H Kistler Helium Three 7’ Light MH Fast Daiwa Steez SV103H G.Loomis NRX JWR 852S 7’1” M Extra Fast Shimano Exsense Ci4+ 3000 St.Croix LTB 7’3” MH Fast Shimano Chronarch MGL HG G.Loomis GLX MBR 844C 7’0” H Fast Shimano Metainum XG Baitcasters have 30# Sufix 832 with whatever leader for the outing (Mono or FC).

Looking to setup a spinning jerkbait (primarily) rod. I have an Light MH/Fast HE3 casting rod and it's awesome, but I'm intrigued by the new XX Ronin. I've got a NRX 852S, but I'd like to throw the Ito Shiner, Vision 110, etc. which are 1/2oz. but 3/8oz.-3/4oz. is the range I'm looking for. Rods are 6'8"; the HE3 handles 3/16 - 7/8 oz. while the Ronin handles 1/4 - 3/4oz. Both have Fast tips. Any recommendations- knowing the new XX isn't out yet. Right now I can get the Kistler for $100 less (sale and points). Thanks-

Well, you didnt mention price* and you have a preference for Loomis....I use a GLX 845 CBR for my cranks. It's rated MH/M, but I can throw pretty much anything; it loads up wonderfully and can sling a lure almost forever. And talk about senstitive- just amazing. It's so light i can crank all day. That rod puts a smile on my face. I didn't pay close to retail, so I've never worried about if I paid too much. Would I buy it again? Probably- since l've been spoiled but only if it was on sale. Tackletour did a quick review of this rod- http://www.tackletour.com/reviewgloomisnewglxcrankingrodpg3.html *I see now you added a price point.

Hmmm.. I guess like a lot of folks already said- depends on where you're fishing. For ONE combo I'd probably do a 7' Medium/Fast with a 3000 spinning reel and 10# braid (different leader for different presentations). Though a close second would be a MH/F 7' baitcaster with a 6.3:1 reel.